June 27, 2010

The Soul of Recycled

A Hidden Treasure In A Discarded Art Frame Click on photo's to enlarge aged details Irresistible art frames with many possibilities for their use, the timeless timeworn charm of chipped, cracked, peeling paints will never fade, history has proven that. I love to surround myself with objects that were less then desirable to others. I will restyle, re-purpose, and reuse pieces that have been recycled for our inviting peaceful home that asks nothing of us then to relax and create. Among an all white to creams and soft tones of gray-whites, when creating I have this color tone palette in mind. Creating from elegantly rustic, to right down rusty, nothing excites the home more then a treasured find recreated with purpose.French-inspired vignette was made from an old art frame discarded at a tag sale. This treasured find has found it's way into my hands to breathe new life into it. This art gallery frame had seen much better days, but that did not stop me for making less then a few dollar purchase on it. Tearing the frame apart was exciting, and at that point I still had no idea what I was going to create with it. I did know I wanted to remove the excess amount of gold paint, and the layers of art paint that someone at one time had added to it.Stripping it down layers at a time with a varnish and stripper product, removing just the right amount of paint to give it an aged old look for my euro flea market chic design style home, or shop. When I cleaned off the stripper from the 4 sides of the frame that it so kindly gave me, I then got to work painting and adding my technique in paint and aging of it. I painted the cracked, broken and what was left of the piped on icing trim, along with the center motifs adding just the right amount of washed whites, and grays, aging it perfectly imperfect. Pleased with the outcome of the personality each side of the frame took on, I was then left with what now do I use them on.After all sides of the frame were finished they sat around awhile, I held them up to and onto many pieces that I thought could be used as part of restyling and adding to the charm of a piece. I thought maybe they would become a part of the roof line of the birdhouses I create, perhaps a back splash on a vintage piece of furniture, I was still questioning what to use them on. As they sat for a time in the corner of a room propped up and waiting to be added to that perfect piece...It hit me, that they are perfect as they are. I got out tooth hook hangers and nailed them onto the back side of each ends of the frame pieces. This allowed me to hang them on a wall as wall art inbetween other works of art. By using different frame pieces in groupings on a wall this will add salvaged details to a room. I adore them over an existing piece of art, double framing the art giving it unique cottage villa charm. Also adding shabby charm to the top of door ways, as well as a back splash embellishing a counter wall or above a kitchen window. These salvaged pieces are just beautiful laying here and there on their own, mixed with new and old pieces making for inspiring conversation.I hope this inspires you to go to your stockpile of discarded pieces and create.

48 comments:

I'm laughing. Did you just add Google Translate on your blog? Because it is showing up in Afrikaans language. English is not an option. YOu might want to remove it and see what happens.:) Karen ~ Some days are diamonds

Just perfect...love the patina you ended up with. I collect old frames and wood pieces from furniture. A lot of mine are still waiting, but I've used a few as headers over my doorways. The gesso frames look so good with peeling paint and the white showing through. Just a beautiful piece!xo,Debra

Bonjour My Friend~I have missed you soooo.Nice to visit with you.Hope things are going well for you?

You are so creative, fabulous ideas.I am excited to see what you do with it or just leave it as is.

I hit a sale this sat and found the most amazing items. I was so excited! The Man told me it was his mothers and she was a collector of all things.I said oh wow do I ever love her! I will post soon.~Cheers Kim

Dore, I am with you. It is a beautiful work of art just as it is. Think of the work that went into that originally. I am most interested in your paint tachnique. I have a kitchen island that Is currently being panelled with old doors and trim. I would like to give it this ages look like your frame. What colors did you use and how did you start. Of course, I wish you could just come for a day and work your magic on it, but your advice would be appreciated.

Okay, you have my email. please email me your address. Eight years ago a broken gesso frame was sitting on a flea market table. My DB said it's a mess barely together loads of missing gesso but as you can relate there was a beauty to it. It's someplace... it's been waiting for you.

Hi Dore',I absolutely love that vintage piece of frame, it's just lovely!! You did a fabulous job!Thanks so much for always leaving such sweet comments on my blog, it is much appreciated!If you would like, e-mail me your address and I will send you one of my Danmark "R" coins for your friend. Just let me know.Have a great week.Sincerely,Melinda

Hi Dore,My name is Cindy and I live in New Orleans...I happened to your BEAUTIFUL blog through Barbara Jean's...I just started an inspiration blog and I am wondering if you would like to be a Guest Artist....I saw your wonderful piece called "Sanctuary." If you would like to have it featured, I would write a story to go with it and then have a link to your blog and have you as my featured artist for the day...If that sounds good to you, just let me know...My blogsite is:http://Ioweitalltohim.blogspot.comHugs,Cindy

Hi Dore,Oh, this will be so special! I'm so happy to hear from you and I'll write something really meaningful to go with it and I'll let you know when I post it....It should be within the next couple of weeks (Right now, unbelievably, we don't know if we might have to evacuate because of the storm out in the gulf--geez, girl, a testing of my faith! :-)Hugs,Cindy

It's just me, good boy Romeo. Yes ma'am, I was a good boy today and did not distress your frames. Promise. Cross my whiskers! (That's pretty hard to do even when I am telling the truth) I did however, admire your beautiful frames...well, after I had the fish sticks and milk...which BTW thank MEW so furry much....you are always so good to me....anyway.....those frame pieces are just so wonderful, they didn't need anything else added to their character!!! You worked so hard to get them as beautiful as they are -- now they are PURRFECT! Like you!

I love the details in this particular piece. So beautiful and lovely (: Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower. I look forward to returning to your blog often for creative inspiration (:

Hey A-Dore-able!Wow, be still my heart!! That bit of a frame is magnificent!! OH!! I am LOVING it :) It's funny that perspective thing. Some may see it as a broken piece of junk, but we see it as a magnificent treasure. Keep on junkin', girl..That's amazing!!I hope you're doing well. Counting down 60 days till my baby leaves. How about you??Can I get my tissues now? :(I hope you're having a lovely day!!XoXoGail

Hi Dore! Your Frames are soooo yummy...I too have a collection of old frames..which I love..I have never stripped them as you or taken them appart..but this gives me a new idea..How about using the pieces to make a cornice box over a window!!!! I was inspired by looking at yours picture.. just place the frasm right over an exsisting cornice box over a window with white flowing curtains drapeing under it!! Just divine..or just use the frames to make a new cornice... I have a all white room that I may do this with....fantastic inspiration! I am sooo behind in my blog and email the shop is keeping me so busy....I will blog soon with some of my new creations...Now I added this cornice /antique frame idea to my HUGE pile of projects!!!! Oh No!!!!

Hi Dore--This is Cindy Lou Whoo here--lol Just wanted to pop over and say I think your picture looks amazing on I Owe it All to Him--yippeee!!!I wrote a neat story to go with your tablescape picture too...probably it will be on next week...(I don't know if you got the email about it.)

I wrote to you to say that we must think alike because we have the SAME silver pattern!!! I about flipped when I saw it in your picture because I thought, "Wow, we think alike!"

Hugs from me and wishing you a wonderful day...and one more thing--wow--this song is SOOO gorgeous too!

They're absoultely beautiful Doré...And to think that there are some people who would consider them "less than desirable"....Nuts! I tell you. :-) Their vintage beauty and detail is just breathtaking. Love, love, love them.

Oh Dore, I'm so sorry...I forgot to tell you...Now that you have been a featured artist, you can grab my blog button "Featured Artist"--scroll on down my page on Whimsical Musings and it is on a post...They're only for people who have been guest artists. (It's pink and says I Owe it All to Him."HUGS,Cindy

Dore... what a wonderful post and DIY of creativity from an old soul who really sees the essential beauty in things. I not only love what you did with these salvaged works of art but I love how you wrote down your thoughts about it as well. A most inspired post my amazing friend!So much love to you and Hannah this 4th of July weekend!

I'm a new fan of yours. I love your old frames and the beautiful architectural piece you are trying here and there. I would love for you to check out my blog though I really need to be more faithful on it. Thank you for sharing all your pretty things and thoughts.

Designs

MY PEACEFUL SHOP

French musing

About Me

I am French and Irish born in Southern California, yet spent a great number of years in the bay area of Northern California. When I moved back to the Southern part in 1986-87 I was on the brink of a new life. I have two children, a son Travis, and a daughter Hannah who have a beauty in expressing who they are. I am in the field of interior design, interior designer and home stager in decorating estate model homes residential, and commercial designs.
A design shop in the bay area co-opted with my mother was the strongest influence in the start of it all. Artist in fine art. My favorite time of any day is making time to create. I love to recycle and reimage found objects that then find their way into the hands and homes of a new place to rest.